Manually adjustable housing portions for actuating an electrical appliance switch

ABSTRACT

An improved switch assembly for an electrical appliance is provided which is easily manipulated when the appliance assumes a variety of operating modes. The switch assembly includes a slidably mounted control unit for opening and closing a switch, the latter being concealed within a housing for the appliance and disposed within an electric circuit for the appliance. The control unit is provided with a plurality of exposed, finger-engageable surfaces to effect selective movement of the unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an electrical appliance and a switch assemblytherefor. The appliance in question is adapted to assume variousorientations or modes, thus, the switch assembly must be readilyaccessible for manual manipulation when in any mode of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

There are a variety of electrical appliances which are capable ofassuming various operational modes (e.g. acting alone or in combinationwith another unit). In such appliances the switch assembly connected toa source of power is oftentimes not readily accessible for manualmanipulation when operating in the various modes. Such switch assembliesare normally of complex design and are awkward and difficult to installand servicing requires substantial disassembly of the appliance. Thelocation of prior switch assemblies on such appliances is such that theyare susceptible to being damaged or accidentally manipulated when theappliance is subjected to normal handling.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedelectrical appliance and switch assembly therefor which effectivelyovercome the aforementioned shortcomings besetting the prior art.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved switchassembly which is of simple, inexpensive, yet durable construction andembodies a minimum number of components.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will becomeapparent from the description, and appended claims, and accompanyingdrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an electricalappliance is provided which includes a housing formed of a pair ofcomplemental, interfitting sections, an electrical motor, and a switchassembly therefor both being disposed within the housing. The switchassembly includes an adjustable switch disposed within an electricalcircuit for the motor and a control means operatively connected to theswitch and selectively adjusted manually between on and off positions.,Adjustment of the switch is responsive to the manual manipulation of thecontrol means. The control means includes angularly disposed first andsecond finger-engageable exposed surfaces. The first surface is readilyaccessible when the appliance is in a first operating mode and thesecond surface is readily accessible when the appliance is in a secondoperating mode. The switch is retained within the housing by thecoaction of cooperating segments of the housing sections when the latterare in interfitting relation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should bemade to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one embodiment of theimproved electrical appliance operating with a container in a vacuumcleaner mode; the container is shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appliance of FIG. 1 functioning perse in a blower mode and showing the discharge side of the appliance;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged back side elevational view of the appliance ofFIG. 2 with a portion of the housing thereof cut away to show the switchand in partial section the control means therefor;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one exposed surface of thecontrol means shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing the control means per se;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but showing a second exposed surface of thecontrol means.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7--7of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an interior portion of onehousing section in which the switch is disposed.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but of the other housing section.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of the interior portion of thehousing section of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 but of the housing section of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the improved electricalappliance 10 is shown respectively in two modes: a vacuum cleaner mode Iand a blower mode II. The appliance includes a housing 16 formed ofinterfitting complemental sections 18, 20, and a switch assembly 22, thelatter having a control unit 23 which is adjustable to three distinctpositions: off, low and high. The control unit allows an operator toselectively control the electrical power to the appliance. The adjustedposition of the unit 23 may be observed through an opening 24 located onan exposed side of housing section 18 when the appliance is in mode I

While in mode I, the appliance 10 is horizontally secured in anoverlying removable relation on the upper open end of a collectingcontainer 26. A suction nozzle (not shown) is attached to a port (notshown) formed in the side of the container 26 to channel dirt and otherdebris into the container. In the blower mode II, however, the appliance10 is detached from the container 26 and is designed to be hand held. Aconvenient handle 32 may be formed in the periphery of the housing 16.High velocity air is discharged through a tangentially disposed nozzle34 formed in the periphery of the housing and spaced from the handle.When utilized in the vacuum cleaner mode I, the nozzle 34 is covered bya cap 36.

The housing may be provided with buttons, slots or rings 38 (as seen inFIG. 3) for attaching thereto a shoulder strap 40. A blower tube (notshown) may be attached to the blower nozzle 34 for greater directionalcontrol of the discharged air.

An electrical cord 43 connects the appliance 10 to an electrical powersource. Cord 43 is provided with a conventional male plug. The improvedswitch assembly 22 is mounted on the housing in proximity to the handle32. The assembly includes a switch 44 disposed within the housing andconnected in series with an appliance motor M for selectively allowingthe motor to be turned off or operated at two speed levels, low andhigh. The switch 44 may be a conventional three position typecommercially available and includes a finger-like projection 46adjustable between selected positions whereby there is no current, lowcurrent or high current flow through the switch.

The assembly 22 also includes the control unit 23, preferably of moldedone piece construction, having an extension 48 at one end that isslidably disposed within the housing and snugly fits over the switchprojection and effects adjustment thereof in response to the manualmanipulation of the control unit 23. Extending from the opposite end ofthe unit is a plate-like extension 50 that is slidably disposed withinthe housing 16. The extensions 48 and 50 prevent the unit from becomingdisassembled from the housing. Extensions 48 and 50 are interconnectedto a center portion 52 by narrow neck segments 55. The center portionhas an exposed finger-engageable first surface 54 and exposed secondsurface 56 angularly disposed with respect thereto. The neck segments 55of unit 23, as seen in FIG. 7, are slidably disposed within an elongateguide slot 60 formed in the periphery of the housing when the sectionsthereof are in interfitting relation.

The control unit first surface 54 may be provided with an arrow 59indicating the direction to move the control unit to one of the selected"on" positions. The unit 23 is contoured to conform substantially to theperipheral contour of the housing 16. Each exposed surface 54, 56 mayinclude ridges or grooves 66 that provide a non-slip finger-engagingsurface. The surface 56 may also be provided with a directional arrow68.

The periphery of the housing in vicinity of the control unit 23 isrecessed a small amount so that the exposed first and second surfaces ofthe unit are substantially flush with the adjacent exposed surfaces ofthe housing. The recessed peripheral portions 16a and 16b of the housing16 are of greater length than the length of the unit central portion 52thus, allowing selective longitudinal movement of the unit relative tothe recessed portions 16a, 16b.

As seen in FIG. 7, the relative angular disposition of the first andsecond surfaces of unit 23 is clearly shown. The first surface 54 ispositioned in overlying relation with the housing recessed portion 16aso that it can be easily reached by an operator when gripping the handle32. The second surface 56 overlies the housing recessed portion 16b andis situated for easy access by an operator when the device is being usedin the vacuum cleaner mode I.

As seen in FIGS. 8-11, each housing section 18, 20 is preferably of onepiece construction molded from a suitable plastic material. The interiorsurface 18a of section 18 is provided with an inwardly facing pocket P,see FIG. 8, which is sized to slidably accommodate a side portion of theswitch 44. The interior surface 20a of housing section 20, which isopposite the pocket P when the housing sections are in interfittingrelation, is provided with an inwardly projecting stud S, which abuts anopposite side portion of the switch. The stud and pocket cooperate withone another to sandwich the switch 44 therebetween. Thus, no separatefasteners are required to secure the switch within the housing, therebyfacilitating assembly and servicing of the appliance.

Suitable threaded openings 18b and 20b are symmetrically arranged aboutthe housing sections 18 and 20 and are adapted to accommodate screwfasteners F and FF see FIG. 3. Fasteners F and some of the fasteners FFretain the housing sections 18 and 20 in interfitting relation. Theremaining fasteners FF serve to secure the electric motor M to theinterior of a center portion 18c of the housing section 18. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the center portion 18c of the housing section 18 isoffset outwardly so as to accommodate the motor M disposed within thehousing. The center portion 18c is provided with ventilating slots 18d.Housing section 20, in turn, has an outwardly offset, louvered centerportion 20c in which may be disposed a filter, not shown.

While the appliance 10 has heretofore been described as functioning ineither a vacuum cleaner mode or a blower mode, it is not intended to belimited thereto. The shape and size of the appliance may vary from thatshown and will depend upon its intended purpose. In any case theimproved appliance is of simple, compact, lightweight yet sturdyconstruction; has a minimum number of components which may be readilyassembled; and incorporates a control unit which may be easilymanipulated manually regardless of the mode in which the appliance isbeing operated.

We claim:
 1. An electrical appliance operable in various modes,comprising:a housing having first and second exterior surface portions;switch means disposed within the housing for opening and closing anelectrical circuit for the appliance; and manually adjustable controlmeans operatively connected to said switch means for selective manualadjustment between first and second positions to effect opening andclosing said electrical circuit; said control means having a unitarycontrol member with first and second exposed surfaces in angularlydisposed relation, said first surface overlying said first exteriorportion of said housing and being oriented for selective manualadjustment between said first and second positions when said applianceis in a first operating mode and said second surface overlying saidsecond exterior portion of said housing and being oriented for selectivemanual adjustment between said first and second positions when saidappliance is in a second operating mode.
 2. The appliance of claim 1wherein the first and second surfaces are in substantially perpendicularrelation.
 3. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the switch means includesan adjustable projection disposed within the housing interior and thecontrol means includes a segment disposed the housing interior andengaging said projection and effecting adjustment thereof in response tothe manual adjustment of said control means.
 4. The appliance of claim 1wherein said control means is provided with a plurality of circuitcontrolling positions, each of the latter positions regulating theelectrical energy flow through the switch means.
 5. An electricalappliance operable in various modes, comprising:switch means for openingand closing an electrical circuit for the appliance; a housing having apair of interfitting sections, one section being provided with aninterior means for accommodating a first exterior portion of the switchmeans, and the other housing section being provided with an interiormeans for engaging a second exterior portion of the switch means, theinterior means cooperating with one another when the housing sectionsare in interfitting relation to fixedly retain the switch means in apredetermined location within the housing interior, said pair ofinterfitting sections defining first and second exterior surfaceportions of said housing; and manually adjustable control meansoperatively connected to said switch means for selective adjustmentbetween first and second positions to effect opening and closing saidelectrical circuit; said control means having a unitary control memberwith first and second exposed surfaces in angularly disposed relation,said first surface overlying said first exterior portion of said housingand being oriented for selective manual adjustment between said firstand second portions when said appliance is in a first operating mode andsaid second surface overlying said second exterior portion of saidhousing and being oriented for selective manual adjustment between saidfirst and second positions when said appliance is in a second operatingmode.
 6. In an electrical appliance operable in various operating modes,and being provided with a housing having intermitting sections providingfirst and second exterior peripheral segments disposed in substantiallyorthogonal planes, the improvement comprising a switch assemblymountable on the appliance housing, said assembly including:a switchmeans disposed within the housing for selectively moving between firstand second positions to control an electrical circuit to the appliance;and manually adjustable control means mountable on the housing andoperatively connected to said switch means, said control means beingselectively adjustable between said first and second positions, saidswitch means being responsive to the movement of said control meansbetween said first and second positions; said control means including acenter portion having exposed finger engagable first and secondsurfaces, said first surface overlying the first peripheral segment ofthe housing exterior and being readily accessible to effect movement ofsaid control means between said first and second positions when theappliance is in a first operating mode and said second surface overlyingthe second peripheral segment of the housing exterior and being readilyaccessible to effect movement of said control means between said firstand second positions when the appliance is in a second operating mode.7. The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein the first and the secondexposed surfaces are in angularly disposed relation and are adapted tobe in close proximity to a handle formed on the exterior of the housing.8. The switch assembly of claim 7 wherein the control means includes anextension disposed at one end of the center portion; said extensionbeing positionable within the housing interior and engagable with anadjustable protruding actuator element of the switch means, adjustmentof said actuator element being in response to the movement of thecontrol means.
 9. The appliance of claim 6 wherein the switch means isprovided with a plurality of circuit closing positions and the controlmeans is selectively adjustable to a corresponding number of onpositions. .Iadd.
 10. An electrical appliance comprising:a motor; aswitch for controlling an electrical circuit supplying current to themotor, the switch including an actuator having at least two operativepositions; a housing containing the motor and the switch, the housinghaving a pair of interfitting sections, one section being provided withan inwardly facing pocket sized to accommodate a first exterior portionof the switch, and the other housing section being provided with aninwardly projecting stud disposed opposite the inwardly facing pocket,the inwardly projecting stud engaging a second exterior portion of theswitch, the first exterior portion of the switch being opposite thesecond exterior portion of the switch, the inwardly facing pocket andthe inwardly projecting stud cooperating when the housing sections arein interfitting relation to fixedly retain said switch in apredetermined location within the housing; and, a manually engageablecontrol projection coupled to the actuator of the switch and beingmanually engageable from outside the housing to permit a user to movethe actuator between the at least two operative positions..Iaddend..Iadd.11. An electrical appliance as defined in claim 10wherein the housing includes a handle for transporting the appliance,the switch being disposed in the handle. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. Anelectrical appliance as defined in claim 10 wherein the switch iscontained completely within the housing, and the manually engageablecontrol projection includes a manually engageable surface accessiblefrom outside the housing and an extension which couples the manuallyengageable surface to the actuator within the housing..Iaddend..Iadd.13. An appliance capable of being used in a first modeand a second mode, the appliance being adapted for being horizontallysecured in overlying removable relation on the upper end of a collectioncontainer for use as a vacuum cleaner in the first mode, and furtherbeing adapted to be detached from the collection container and hand heldas a blower in a second mode, the appliance comprising:a motor; a switchfor controlling an electrical circuit supplying current to the motor,the switch including an actuator having at least two operativepositions; a housing containing the motor and the switch, the housinghaving a pair of interfitting sections, one section being provided withan inwardly facing pocket sized to accommodate a first exterior portionof the switch, and the other housing section being provided with aninwardly projecting stud disposed opposite the inwardly facing pocket,the inwardly projecting stud engaging a second exterior portion of theswitch, the first exterior portion of the switch being opposite thesecond exterior portion of the switch, the inwardly facing pocket andthe inwardly projecting stud cooperating when the housing sections arein interfitting relation to fixedly retain said switch in apredetermined location within the housing; and, a manually engageablecontrol projection coupled to the actuator of the switch and beingmanually engageable from outside the housing to permit a user to movethe actuator between the at least two operative positions..Iaddend..Iadd.14. An appliance as defined in claim 13 wherein thehousing includes a handle for transporting the appliance when used inthe second mode, the switch being disposed in the handle..Iaddend..Iadd.15. An appliance as defined in claim 13 wherein theswitch is contained completely within the housing, and the manuallyengageable control projection includes a manually engageable surfaceaccessible from outside the housing and an extension which couples themanually engageable surface to the actuator within the housing..Iaddend.